Electrical Safety

Introduction

Electric Shock

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
Issues

Review

The Importance of Electricity

Engineers need to use
electricity regardless of
engineering discipline.
Imagine
a
world
without electricity even
not the batteries. Now
make a list of things
that you could still do
to keep you living
smooth. Such a list
would
be
almost
empty!
In todays world, no
matter what you do or
where
you
are,
electricity is essential.

Electricit
y

Introduction

Electric Shock

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
Issues

Review

Do We Know the Danger of Electricity?

Electricity is such an important part in our life.
Have we ever thought about how dangerous it
could be?
Do we know how much electricity we are
handling at home or at workplaces and at what
danger level?
Do we know what could go wrong in using
electricity? Also, how and why that can
happen.
Do we know how we can prevent accidents

Introduction

Electric Shock

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
Issues

Review

Accidents Related to Electricity

In only one year there were 53,589 electricity
related fires reported in Canada, which resulted in
304 deaths, 2,547 injuries and $1.49 billion in
property losses [1]
In Ontario an average annual cost of electricity
related injuries is $1.3 million [1]
In U.S., there is 43,900 electrical home fires each
year, resulting in 438 deaths, 1,430 injuries and
$1.47 billion in property damages [2]
Human factor is the most significant cause for
electrical
incidents
[1] 2001,
2002, 2011 Ontario
Electrical Safety Report
[2] Electrical Safety Foundation International, 2013 National Electrical Safety Month

Introduction

Electric Shock

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
Issues

Review

Electrical Incidents: Powerline Contact

May 18, 2010

A precast concrete company
was making a delivery with a
boom truck at a road
rebuilding site
the victim helped guide the
load by grabbing one of the
legs of the sling suspending
the load
The wire rope made contact
with the powerline
The worker received a severe
shock and fell to the ground
convulsing
5

Introduction

Electric Shock

Arc and Blast

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Review

Electrical Incidents: Powerline Contact (continued )

Approximately 14
months of investigation
No designated area for
unloading
No signaller was used
The boom truck
operators view might
have been obstructed
by the worker standing
in front of him on the
flatbed of the truck

Introduction

Electric Shock

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
Issues

Review

Electrical Incidents: Electrical Panel

October 3, 2007
Connection of
temporary lighting
cables to the electrical
panel on a construction
site
The apprentice entered
the panel to pull up the
cable and hook it into
the power panel
Inadvertently, the
apprentice came into
contact with the

Introduction

Electric Shock

Arc and Blast

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Review

Electrical Incidents: Electrical Panel (continued )

Approximately 11 months of
investigation
The panel was left energized
No personal protective equipment
was worn
Safety policies were not followed
No hazard assessment was
conducted prior to performing the
work
Contractor was fined $300,000

Introduction

Electric Shock

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
Issues

Review

Electrical Incidents: Overloading

February 3, 2010
Portable space heater
was connected to an
extension cord which
plugged into a wall
receptacle
This connection was
kept semipermanently which is
not the intended use
for an extension cord
9

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Electrical Incidents: Overloading (continued )

The receptacle was

nearby combustibles
Leaving the glass door
open after escape
provided oxygen for
fire to continue
Charring and smoke
stains all over the place
A serious injury and
$30,000 in property
damage
10

Introduction

Electric Shock

Arc and Blast

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Review

Why Health and Safety Matter to an Engineer

Every one who undertakes, or has the authority, to direct how

another person does work or performs a task is under a legal
duty to take reasonable steps to prevent bodily harm to that
person, or any other person, arising from that work or task.
Federal Law in Canada (Bill C45), amended on
March 31, 2004
An engineer directs other people to work through
project design, supervision and decision making at
various levels.

11

Introduction

Electric Shock

Arc and Blast

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Review

The Goal of Zero Fatality

Should enforcement be the only
driving force?
Imagine a situation where you are a
CEO of a giant construction company.
Unfortunately, there are 20 deaths in
a year due to work related accidents
in your company. So, you have taken
vigorous measures to reduce this
number to half. Hurray! You have
achieved the goal and its time to
celebrate!
The goal of health and safety
Arent
you still celebrating
for killing
management
is to achieve
ZERO
10 people?
injury.

Celebration and coffin

cant go together.

12

Introduction

Electric Shock

Arc and Blast

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Review

SPIES Model

I believe its
the only way
I feel strongly
about the need
I understand
its importance
I do it to satisfy
my boss
I do it to keep
my job

Spiritual

Emotional

I ntellectual

Political

Self
13

Introduction

Electric Shock

Arc and Blast

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Review

Major Electrical Hazards

Electric shock: a sudden physiological
stimulation when human body is a part of an
enclosed current loop.
Arc: the light and heat released from an
electrical breakdown that is due to electrical
current ionizing gases in the air.
Blast: an explosive or rapid expansion of air
with tremendous pressure and temperature,
which is caused by arcs sometimes.

14

Introduction

Electrical
Shock

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
Issues

Review

Factors Affecting Electrical Shock

The amount of current is a critical factor in

determining the severity of electrical shock.
When current flows through an element, voltage
cannot be zero (Ohms Law: V = RI). Thus,
voltage is also a factor.
The current pathway and its resistance in the
human body are important factors for electrical
shock.
Power (P) = Voltage x Current = V x I 0
What matters the most is the amount of energy
transferred from the electric power source to
human body.
We know, Energy = Power x Time; or W = P x t.
So, the duration of current flow is also

15

Introduction

Electrical
Shock

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
Issues

Review

Physiological Effects of Electricity

The human body must become a part of an

electric circuit for a physiological effect to occur.
There must be a current flow from one point of
the body to another point of the body, i.e., not an
open circuit.
The magnitude of current is critical in determining
the severity
Phenomenon:
- Electric stimulation of excitable tissue
- Resistive heating of tissue
- Electrochemical burns and tissue damage for
direct current and very high voltages
16

Introduction

Electrical
Shock

Arc and Blast

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Review

Nominal Human Response to Current Magnitudes

Current (60 Hz) rms

Physiological
Phenomena

Feeling or lethal
incidence

< 1mA

None

Imperceptible

1 10 mA

Perception threshold

Mild to painful sensation

10 mA

Paralysis threshold of
arms

Cannot release hand

grip

30 mA

Respiratory paralysis

Stoppage of breathing,
frequently fatal

75 mA

Fibrillation threshold
0.5%

Heart action
discoordinated
(probably fatal)

250 mA

Fibrillation threshold
99.5%

Heart action
discoordinated
(probably fatal)

4A

Hearing paralysis
threshold
*>This
on aburning
68 kg person
5A data is approximate and based
Tissue

Heart stops for duration

of current passage

Ref: R. H. Lee, The Other Electrical Hazard: Electric Arc Blast Burns, IEEE Trans. Industrial Applications,

17

Introduction

Electrical
Shock

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
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Review

Let-Go Current
Let-go current is the
maximum current a
person can tolerate
when holding a current
carrying conductor in
one hand and yet let go
of the conductor by
using muscles directly
affected by that current
Let-go current depends on frequency
Example: 60 mA current at 2000 Hz and at 5 Hz is
safe for men but the same amount of current at 60Hz
is not safe
Ref: C. F. Dalziel, Let go current and voltages, AIEE Transactions 75 (II): 49, 1956

18

Introduction

Electrical
Shock

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
Issues

Review

How Much Current Are We Using at Home?

We use electricity in many different things at home.
How much current flows through these devices and how
dangerous these could be. See the following examples:
Assume (typical) an electric stove has two 2500 W
coils and two 1000 W coils
- If the 2500 W is turned on, it requires a current flow of
20.83 A
- If all four coils are in use, it requires a current of
58.33
Typical A!
current requirements:
(Considering V = 120V
in Canada)
Cloth dryer
= 33.0 A
Iron
= 8.5 A
Dishwasher = 11.5 A
Coffeemaker = 6.5 A
Microwave = 10.0 A
Television
= 1.6 A
19

Introduction

Electrical
Shock

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
Issues

Review

How About At Nonresidential Places?

Workers often use various dangerous electrical
equipment.
Also, people use things in public places which require
An
oilrig
may require several megawatt of power, which
high
current.
may
have more than thousand amperes of current in it.
The list of heavy duty machines can be endless here.
All these machines require moderate to very high
current.
A three-car transit train may require 300 A - 900 A
A ten passenger elevator may require 150 A
A 20 foot high escalator may require 100 A
The engineers who design these ensure
that the workers, users and public will
remain safe.

20

Introduction

Electrical
Shock

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
Issues

Review

Electrical Resistance of Human Body

The electrical resistance of the human body depends on
various factors such as skin condition (dry, wet, type of
gel or lotion used), parts of the body and even on
gender.
Resistance between two points x and y of a human
Resistivity which depends on material property
l
body is

Rxy

l Length between x and y

A Crosssectional area (skin contact area is important)

Dry skin has higher resistivity than wet skin

Male usually have higher resistivity than female
Thicker skin has higher resistance than thinner skin

21

Electrical
Shock

Introduction

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
Issues

Review

Circuit Model of Electrical Resistance in Human Body

c
d

a
Skin
Muscle

R bhf

b
R bc

R cde

g
f
R ef

Rag Rbhf / / Rbc Rcde Ref Rbc Rcde Ref Rbc Ref
Sinc
e,

Rbhf Rbc Rcde

and skin has higher resistance than

muscle

The current path a-b-c-d-e-f has lower resistance than

a-b-h-f-g.
Most of the current flows through the inside of the
body rather than through the body surface (current
path bhf) which is skin.
It is more likely for majority of the current to flow

22

Introduction

Electrical
Shock

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
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Review

Area of Contact Matters

Assume a person has accidentally touched a live line
having 120 V. The higher the body resistance is the
lower will be the current flow.
The body resistance mostly depends on Rbc and Ref ,
i.e. the skin resistance in contact with the live line or
object.
The resistances Rbc and Ref become smaller for larger
contact area (A on slide #14) which allows more
current to flow.
The following pictures show different area of contacts.

23

Electrical
Shock

Introduction

Other Safety
Issues

Arc and Blast

Review

Nominal Resistance Values

Condition

Resistance
Dry skin

Wet skin

4 k 1 M

4 k 15 k

Hand holding wire

10 k 50 k

3 k 6 k

Finger-thumb grasp

10 k 30 k

2 k 5 k

Palm touch

3 k 8 k

1 k 2 k

Hand around 1.5 pipe

0.5 k 1.5
k

250 750

Hand immersed

200 500

Limb (excluding skin)

200

Trunk (excluding skin)

100

Limb to limb (excluding

skin)

500

Finger touch

Ref: Electricity Safety Handbook by J. Cadick, et al (data copied for

24

Introduction

Electrical
Shock

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
Issues

Review

Power Outlets
There are usually three ports in a residential
(single phase) wall socket.

Neutr
al

Live or hot
Ground
Groun
d

Is there any standard color coding?

What is the need of the ground port when there is a
neutral port?
Why is the size of the neutral and live ports are
different?

25

Introduction

Electrical
Shock

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
Issues

Review

Color Coding: CSA Group Standards

CSA (Canadian Standards Association) Group has
standards for electrical installations called Canadian
Electrical Code. The CSA Group standard has the
following recommend color-code:
For AC (alternating current)
Ground line:
Green or green with one or more
yellow stripes
Neutral line:
White
Hot (1 phase):
Black or red
Hot (3 phase):
Red (phase A), black (phase B), blue
(phase C)
For DC (direct current)
2 wire:
Black and red
3 wire:
Black, red and white
26

Electrical
Shock

Introduction

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
Issues

Review

Understanding the Electrocution Circuits

VS

VS

Conductor
(a
)

Insulat
or
(b)

Closed
circuit
In both cases the circuits are closed and the person
becomes an element in the circuit.
In figures a and b, if the source is 120V and the body
exhibits a resistance of 5 k, the current through the
body is 24 mA
Note that this type of electric shock can be fatal
depending on the contact area, skin condition and
duration of current flow
27

Introduction

Electrical
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Arc and Blast

Other Safety
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Review

Understanding the Electrocution Circuits

VS

VS

Insulator
(c
)

InsulatoConduct
or
r
(d
)

Open
circuit
In figure c, the resistance between hand and the
ground is infinite (open circuit). The voltage across
the body is VS but the current through the body is
zero (I = VS/). The person remains safe in this
situation.
WARNING: Dont do this
experiment.
In figure d, both will be electrocuted because the
circuit is closed through the second person standing

28

Introduction

Electrical
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Arc and Blast

Other Safety
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Review

The Need of a Ground Port

A typical electrical
connection

Liv
e

The internal circuit is

electrically insulated against
the external body of the
appliance.

Neutr
al

The
intern
al
circuit
Groun
d

The ground line is connected

to the external body but not
directly connected to the
internal circuit.
Normally the current flows
through the live and neutral
lines.
The users are safe to touch
these appliances under
normal operation.
If the internal circuit
accidently gets connected to 29

Introduction

Electrical
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Other Safety
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Arc and Blast

Review

The Need of a Ground Port (Continued )

The equivalent circuit under normal
operation
Liv
e
VS

RH
B

Ground

Neutr
al

RA

The feet are

electrically
connected to the
ground

The equivalent circuit

under normal
operation

RA = equivalent impedance (resistance) of the appliances

internal circuit
RHB = body resistance of the person touching the appliance
Under normal operation, the person is not a part of the
circuit
The person remains SAFE

30

Electrical
Shock

Introduction

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
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The Need of a Ground Port (Continued )

Faulty
Liv
connection
e
Ground

VS
Neutr
al

VS

The feet are

electrically
connected to
ground
RA

RH

Review

Assume the appliances

body is connected to
the live line
a faulty connection
RA

RH
B

The equivalent circuit with

the ground port under faulty
condition
No
current in RHB SAFE
operation

Assume the appliances external body is

accidentally connected to the internal
B
electric circuit.
Without the ground connection the body is
The equivalent circuit without
part of the circuit and current flows through
the ground port under faulty
the persons body
condition
Current flows through RHB
With the ground connection the current
The person is electrocuted
flows through the ground line bypassing the 31

Introduction

Electrical
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Arc and Blast

Other Safety
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Review

Different Sizes of the Outlets and Color Code

To other
ac
powered
devices

120 V
ac line

The plug pins have

different sizes.

S
The ground connection is not shown here.

The plug pins shown at the left need to be inserted into the plug
socket to turn on the table lamp.
The switch S is placed somewhere between the plug pins and the
light bulb holder.
The switch S can be connected to the live or neutral line
depending on how the plug pins are inserted into the socket. In
this diagram it is on the LIVE line.
Different sizes of the pins ensure that the switch always remains
on the live line.

32

Introduction

Electrical
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Review

Different Sizes of the Outlets and Color Code

To other
ac
powered
devices

120 V
ac line

The ground connection is not shown here.

Assume the pins of a plug have the same size and they can be
inserted into the plug socket in either way. (Note that with different
sizes there is only one way.)
This diagram shows that the plug is inserted in a way such that the
switch S is now placed on the NEUTRAL line instead of being
placed on the live line.
In this scenario current can flow through the persons body even
though the switch is OFF.
Thus, turning off the switch will not ensure electrical safety if the
33

Introduction

Electrical
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Arc and Blast

Other Safety
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Review

Different Sizes of the Outlets

A 3-pin plug has

only one way to
be inserted

It is an easy go as
it fits with the
right size

Wall
socket

A plug with
different pin
sizes

Does not fit because the

larger pin cannot be
inserted into the smaller
hole
34

Introduction

Electrical
Shock

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
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Review

Static Electricity

We all experience static electricity, particularly on

a dry winter day it can be painful.
Static electricity can be a fire/explosion hazard if
- static electric charge continues to generate and
accumulate
- the air near the source has an ignitable mixture
Petroleum based fuels often develop static charge
when they are carried in a metal container,
poured or flow through hoses.
Higher temperature and higher altitude lower the
flash point, which may enhance ignition.

35

Introduction

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Review

Static Electricity Bonding

Hose

The dispensing and

receiving metal
containers are electrically
bonded by a conductor.
The bonding must be
done before pouring.
Metal
Since the two containers
bondin
g
Fuel
are electrically connected
drum
there is no voltage
difference.
Some
hoses
have
built-infor containers that do not
Bonding
is not
effective
bonding
mechanism.
conduct electricity.
Bonding alone may not be sufficient to prevent
static electricity.

36

Introduction

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Shock

Arc and Blast

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Review

Static Electricity Bonding and Grounding

Grounded metal
pipe

Hose
Metal
bondin
g

Fuel drum

Metal
bondin
g

Both containers are bonded and one of them are

grounded.
The ground is usually water or gas metal pipes.
Any accumulated charge will be completely
discharged through the ground connection line.

37

Introduction

Electric Shock

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
Issues

Review

Arcing

Arcing occurs when electric current flows

uncontrolled accompanied by ionization of the
surrounding air from phase to ground, phase to
neutral, and/or phase to phase.
Normally, air is an insulator.
Under certain circumstances air insulation may fail.
Insulation failure can result in short-circuit.
This releases an enormous amount of energy in a
very short time.

38

Introduction

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Review

Insulation Failure Strong Electric Field

R = when air is an insulator. Arcing occurs when R

=0
The electric field between the two conductors is
given by
Electric field = (voltage difference) / (distance
between conductors)
Example: assume two conductors with a voltage
difference
of 100 000 V and the distance between the
conductors is 0.5 m

39

Introduction

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Insulation Failure Factors Influencing

Arcing can be influenced and/or caused by the

following factors:
Defective or aging insulation material
Poor or incorrect maintenance
Moisture or vermin and human errors
A tool slipping and touching live conductors
Environmental factors such as geography, altitude,
humidity and geology
Meteorological factors such as ambient pressure,
temperature,
and wind

40

Introduction

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Arc and Blast

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Review

Arcing Hazards
Arcing

Blast

Fire

Light

Burn

Pressure
Wave

Sound

41

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Arcing Hazard Fire and Burns

Arcing results in fierce fire and the temperature of
this fire can be as high as 20 000 C.
This arcing temperature is four times as hot as the
suns surface.
No material, known on the earth, can withstand this
temperature. They will be vaporized.
Burns from electric arc do not need a direct contact
to fire.
With temperatures rising in and around an arc, burn
hazard is present from ohmic heating; ignition and
combustion of nearby materials, notably including
worn clothing and adjacent equipment; and
sprayed or blown hot or melting installation
elements.
A person standing several feet away from an arc
42

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Arcing Hazard Light

The intense light generated by arc flash emits
dangerous ultraviolet and infrared.
Without proper protection the ultraviolet may
cause temporary or permanent blindness.
The most common injury from infrared radiation
exposure is eye injury to cornea, with the
formation of cataracts, retinal burns and corneal
burns.
People normally avoid too intense visible light.
However, it takes about 0.25 second to close the
eyes with an aversion response.

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Arc Flash Boundaries

Prohibited space is considered as
equivalent
to
direct
contact.
Required: appropriate PPE, training,
work permit, risk assessment
Restricted space appropriate
PPE, training, work permit, risk
assessment are required to enter
this region.
Limited
space

Unqualified
persons must be accompanied by a
qualified person. Appropriate PPE,
training on the task to be performed
and risk assessment are required.
Flash protection boundary is
defined as the distance at which a
person can be exposed to 1.2
cal/cm2 of incident energy. PPE must
be worn to prevent 2nd degree or
greater burns. Unqualified person
must be accompanied by a qualified

Prohibited
Space
boundary

Any point on an
exposed,
energized or
circuit part

Restricted
space
boundary
Limited
space
boundary

Flash
protection
boundary

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Arcing Hazard Blast

During an arc flash, the rapidly expanding gases
and heated air may cause blasts, pressure waves
or explosions.
Blast pressures may exceed 10 ton/m2, knocking
workers off ladders or collapsing workers lung.
These events occur very rapidly with speeds
exceeding 1100 km/h, making it impossible for a
worker to get out of the way.
The gasses expelled from the blast also carry the
products of the arc with them including droplets of
molten metal similar to buckshot.
The sound level from blasts and pressure waves
can be as high as 160 dB at a distance of several
feet, where the sound from a jet engine at 200 feet
is about 130 dB.

45

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Arc Flash Hazard Calculation

A sample warning
label

Widely accepted standards for calculating arc flash hazard:

IEEE 1584-2002 and
Appendix D of NFPA 70E-2012 (NFPA: National Fire Protection
Association)

* This warning label is copied from

46

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A Natural Arcing Lightening

Lightening is a natural
arcing
47

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SAFE Limit of Current Through a Wire

Is there a SAFE limit on number of devices
that can be connected to a multiplug? Is it
just the number of devices or the amount
of current that
sets
limit?
Equivalent
circuit
ofthe
a multiplug
when connected to
multiple devices
I
120 V ac
line,
Input to
the
multiplug

Device Device Device Device Device

-5
-1
-2
-4
-3
I1
I2
I5
I4
I3

By KCL,

I = I1 + I2 + I3 + I4 +
I5
I is the total current that the multiplug is receiving
from the wall socket. This current depends on the
individual current demanded by each device
connected to it.

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SAFE Limit of Current Through a Wire (continued )

Electric wires have limits of maximum current flow, called
ampacity
When current flows through a wire, it produces heat
Joule Heat = (Current)2 x (Resistance of the wire)
Excessive heat may damage wire material and its
insulation
Such damages may cause short circuit, severe electric
A
shock, burn, etc.
lto flow safely
Higher diameter is required for larger current
R

R = Resistance =
Resistivity
l = length
A = Area
CSA Group has standards for ampacity where the
diameter is expressed in terms of AWG (American Wire
Gauge)
49

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SAFE Limit of Current Through a Wire (continued )

Electric wires, plugs, sockets, etc. have well defined
current limit.
The users should never exceed these current limits.

15 A

50

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Review

Short Circuit and Ground Fault

Short Circuit: A short circuit
occurs when a live line and
neutral line actually touch each
other.

Short
circuit

Neutr
al

Ground Fault: A ground fault

occurs when the live line comes
into contact with the ground line
or a grounded portion of a
junction box or grounded part of
Neutr
an appliance or a device.
al
A large amount of current flows in

Live or
hot
Ground
Ground
fault

Live or
hot
Ground
51

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An Ordinary Over-limit Protector

If current flows over the
rated (or safe) limit in a
circuit,
the
over-limit
protection devices break
the circuit. This can be done
Circuit
Fuses
breaker
by blowing a fuse or by
tripping a
breaker.
Assume
ancircuit
appliance
is supposed to draw a maximum
of 15A current at 120 V. A fuse or circuit breaker rated
15 A is connected to the line. A person accidentally
touches the live line. The over-limit protection device
will not break the circuit until the current exceeds 15 A.
But current levels as low as 10 to 30 mA can be fatal to
human beings. Thus, such an ordinary over-limit
protector cannot save the users in this situation

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Introduction

Electric Shock

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
Issues

Review

Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)

GFCIs interrupts a circuit when there
is a difference in the currents in the
live and neutral lines. Such a
difference indicates an abnormal
diversion of current either through
the ground line or through a persons
body who has come into contact with
the
live
line
and
is
being
electrocuted. The device activates
with a minimum current difference of
5 mA. This keeps the person safe.
When aarecircuit
functions
normally,
GFCIs
required
to be
used in bathrooms,
the difference
in and
current
is always
swimming
pools,
in some
kitchen receptacles.
zero.GFCIs have a Test button which causes a small
The
difference between the live and neutral line.

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Electric Shock

Arc and Blast

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Review

Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI)

AFCI is a device intended to
provide protection from the effects
of arc faults by recognizing
characteristics unique to arcing
and by functioning to de-energize
the circuit when an arc fault has
occurred. AFCIs use integrated
processors which recognizes the
unique current and/or voltage
signatures associated with arcing
faults. It clears the fault in a very
short time. For 60 Hz ac power
system, the clearing time is less
than
8.3
milliseconds.
It
is
recommended that AFCIs should be

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Electric Shock

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
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Review

Step Potential
In case of a fault at a
tower, the current will flow
through the ground.
If the fault current for a
high-voltage tower is 7000
A and the resistance to
ground of the grounding
system is 5 , the ground
potential rise will be 35000
V.
A person walking nearby is likely to experience a
large voltage difference between the feet.
A current will flow through the persons body causing
an electrical shock although there is no direct contact.
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Electric Shock

Arc and Blast

Other Safety
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Review

The Common Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

The most common types of PPE
include:
Nonconductive flame-resistant head, face, and
chin protection (hard hats, full face shields,
switching hoods, etc.)
Eye protection (face shields, safety glasses,
goggles)
Body protection resistant to flash flame (shirts,
pants, jackets, coveralls)
Hand and arms protection (insulating gloves and
sleeves with leather protectors)
Foot and leg protection (insulated leg and
footwear)
Insulating blankets or mats
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Arc Resistant (Also known as Fire Resistant) Cloths

PPE Requirements

Typical Protective Clothing

Systems Clothing Description

Minimum
Flash
Protectio
n
Boundary
(in)

Hazard
Risk
Catego
ry

Required
Minimum
Arc Rating
of PPE
(cal/cm2)

N/A

1 layer of non-melting, flammable

fabric with weight of at least 4.5 oz/yd2

1 layer of AR shirt and AR pants or AR

coverall

15

1 or 2 layers of AR shirt and AR pants

with conventional cotton underwear

45

25

2 or 3 layers of AR shirt, AR pants plus

AR coverall cotton underwear

60

40

3 or more layers of AR shirt, AR pants

plus multi-layer flash suit

~ 120
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Best Practices
Recommendations for circuit designers and electrical
maintenance engineers
Make sure that the design is safe
Use current-limiting overcurrent protective
devices
Implement an electrical safety program
Observe safe work practices
Use appropriate personal protective equipment
(PPE)
Use warning labels
Use an energized electrical work permit if
necessary
Avoid hazards of improperly selected or
maintained overcurrent protective devices

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Lockout and Tag out

Energy sources including electrical,
mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic,
chemical, thermal or other sources in
machines and equipment can be
hazardous to workers. During the
servicing and maintenance of machines
and equipment, the unexpected startup
or release of stored energy could cause
injury to employees.
Lockout is the process of physically
neutralizing all energies in a piece of
equipment. The equipment must be
tagged out after it has been locked out.
Proper procedures must be developed 59

Introduction

Electric Shock

Arc and Blast

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Review

Lockout and Tag out (Continued )

Disconnecting the electrical power line
may not ensure the complete release
of all sources of energies. Examples:
A mechanical spring in a piece of
equipment may store high potential
energy which can be released during
the maintenance work and cause
harm.
Electrical energy can be stored in a
capacitor inside an equipment.
Shutting down the equipment may not
release the energy. A sudden release
of this stored energy may cause
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Major Regulatory Bodies

Law: the system of rules set by the federal
government and/or provincial government.
Standard: A required or agreed level of quality or
attainment. These are usually set and suggested by
various regulatory bodies.

Canadian Advisory Council on Electrical Safety (CACES)

Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Group
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety (CCOHS)
Provincial Authorities such as
Alberta Safety Council
Ontario Electrical Safety Authority
Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
61